Exploring Pain Management and Hypnosis, Parts I and II combined
In loving memory of my mother, who passed away in September 2017 after a courageous battle with a debilitating chronic autoimmune disorder, advanced scleroderma, which she valiantly endured for over three decades of her life. My mother was an extraordinary woman—intelligent, beautiful, and she lived life to the fullest, even in the face of her chronic illness. This article holds a deep personal significance for her, for me, and for all those who may find comfort and insight within its words.
Note: The information remains the same, but this post has been slightly modified and updated from her original contribution to my former blog.
By Colleen Harrison, Certified Hypnotherapist
In this series, we will delve into the fascinating realm of pain management and its relationship with hypnosis. To begin our exploration, let's first establish a foundational understanding of pain management, its different forms, and the essential team involved in its treatment.
Pain management, also known as pain medicine, is a specialized branch of healthcare dedicated to alleviating suffering and enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with pain. A comprehensive pain management team typically comprises medical professionals, clinical psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and, interestingly, hypnotherapists. This team may also include mental health specialists and massage therapists when necessary.
Pain can be classified into two main categories: chronic and acute. Acute pain is what we experience at the moment of injury, such as a broken bone, while chronic pain persists over an extended period, often without a discernible cause. While some pain naturally subsides as the underlying issue heals, others require ongoing treatment to provide relief. This treatment may involve medications like analgesics and, in some cases, anxiolytics. However, when chronic pain lingers without a specific known cause, it necessitates a multifaceted approach, including medications like analgesics, tricyclic antidepressants, and anticonvulsants, as well as interventional procedures, physical therapy, exercise, temperature-based therapies, and psychological interventions like biofeedback and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
In this introductory piece, we have provided an overview of pain management, emphasizing the importance of a collaborative team of experts. In the upcoming articles, we will focus on the remarkable potential of hypnosis in managing and alleviating pain.
Let us commence our discussion by identifying the root causes of pain. We will primarily address the management of chronic pain and delve into acute pain in subsequent articles. Frequently, we overlook the various sources of pain, particularly physical pain seemingly devoid of a clear origin, persisting over time with intermittent bouts of severe discomfort. Such pain may have blurred beginnings, but it is crucial to reflect on how emotional experiences have impacted us. Have prolonged stress in relationships, work, or life led to these physical manifestations of pain? When you are in pain, you undoubtedly feel it, but have you experienced unexplained aches, pains, or debilitating illnesses seemingly emerging out of nowhere?
Sometimes, we carry substantial emotional pain beneath our conscious awareness. While we might recognize some symptoms of an emotional wound, the deeper cause often remains hidden. This emotional pain can obstruct our energy flow, resulting in fatigue and discomfort.
Many of us have learned to suppress our emotional pain to function in our daily lives. We've unconsciously adopted coping mechanisms to persevere, even if it means feeling "off" or constantly searching for external solutions.
To heal chronic pain stemming from emotional trauma, we must learn to cherish ourselves enough to explore our inner selves honestly. Self-hypnosis and hypnotherapy, facilitated by an experienced and well-trained hypnotherapist, can guide us in the process of self-discovery and self-healing.
Colleen Harrison, a Certified Hypnotherapist with a graduate degree in hypnotherapy from the HMI Nationally Accredited College of Hypnotherapy in California, specializes in various areas of hypnotherapy, including immune disorders, pain management, pre and post-surgery hypnosis, and medical hypnosis.
Author's Note: The articles and information presented here are not intended as medical advice or a cure. They are intended to inform and empower readers to make their own health decisions. If you have questions about the appropriateness of any procedures or treatments mentioned, it is advisable to consult a professional healthcare advisor.
